Small Alaska business tries fishy fashion
テーマ：ブログ
2015/05/29 15:40
Craig Kasberg, the founder of the company, pulls out a wallet from his back pocket. It’s a muted jade color, shiny with a slightly bumpy texture.
“It’s much different than what you see when you throw a skin away in the garbage when you’re cooking up your dinner or something,” he says.
The wallet is made entirely from salmon skin sourced from a processor in Kodiak, and then sewn at a tannery in Washington State.
The odor is different than what you might think.
photo:www.marieprom.co.uk/long-prom-dresses
“I would say it smells quite similar to any vegetable tanned leather really,” he says.
The skin has gone through a 24-step process that dries it out until it turns into leather. The material doesn’t stink because the fish oils have all been removed.
“And then replace those with all natural based vegetable tanning oils.”
Alaska has a long history with fish leather. Historically, Alaska Natives across the state have used salmon and other fish skins to craft durable garments, bags, boots and other items necessary for village life. These days, a few Native artists continue the time-consuming tradition of processing fish skins.
The material was also marketed to tourists and fashion houses in the 1990s until those ventures fizzled. Over the last few decades numerous Alaska entrepreneurs have tried their hand at the fish leather business, prompting speculation that it could be a new cottage industry for the state.
Kasberg says the biggest hurdle is convincing consumers byproducts are cool.
“When people think of fish waste, they almost plug their nose in reaction. When people haven’t seen it, smelt it, felt it, I think there is a challenge there,” he says.
Kasberg owns a gillnetter and has fished commercially in Southeast Alaska for almost a decade. He recently sold his commercial fishing license to help fund the new business.
His partner, Zach Wilkinson, has a background in economic development in agriculture. He says the agriculture industry already uses animal byproducts to make high-end items, like shoes and handbags, so why not Alaska fisheries.
“Clearly this stuff is valuable and useful and we could be doing something with it,” he says.
Some seafood processors sell byproducts for pet food, fish meal and vitamin supplements.
“What I’m particularly excited about it is kind of moving those things up the value chain and producing higher value products,” Wilkinson says.
Another item Tidal Vision plans to roll out is clothing made from chitosan extracted from crab shells. The fabric is antimicrobial, so it’s perfect for socks, underwear or gym shirts.
“We’re still going to recommend you wash your clothes but as far as odor goes, you won’t have to,” Kasberg says.
The use of chitosan is common in many industries. It’s usually stripped away from crustacean shells with formaldehyde, but Tidal Vision has a patent pending on a greener, more environmentally friendly method. They’re hoping to eventually expand the product into bandages and other medical supplies.
“The sutures that dissolve into your bloodstream are made out of a chitosan,” he says.
If the products take off, Kasberg says the business could add an overall boost to revenue for fish processors in Alaska. He would be giving them a dollar a pound for the skins, which he says is 90 percent more than fishmeal manufacturers pay. And that money could trickle down to commercial fishermen who supply the processors, like Juneau fisherman Anthoney Sine.
“That would increase our price. That would increase the money that we would be getting on our end,” he says.
Sine owns a boat called the Fortune and is preparing for the upcoming gillnet season. He says the price of seafood can fluctuate; alternative revenue streams could provide more stability.
“It greases the wheels,” Sine says. “Our seasons are short, especially the salmon season. Being able to get a little more money for my product strengthens my business for sure.”
Kasberg’s Kickstarter campaign has already raised more than half of the money it needs to begin mass production. They’re starting with wallets and plan to roll out one item at a time.
Tidal Vision surpassed its Kickstarter goal of $17,500 in 24 hours.
read more:www.marieprom.co.uk/prom-dresses-london
“It’s much different than what you see when you throw a skin away in the garbage when you’re cooking up your dinner or something,” he says.
The wallet is made entirely from salmon skin sourced from a processor in Kodiak, and then sewn at a tannery in Washington State.
The odor is different than what you might think.
photo:www.marieprom.co.uk/long-prom-dresses
“I would say it smells quite similar to any vegetable tanned leather really,” he says.
The skin has gone through a 24-step process that dries it out until it turns into leather. The material doesn’t stink because the fish oils have all been removed.
“And then replace those with all natural based vegetable tanning oils.”
Alaska has a long history with fish leather. Historically, Alaska Natives across the state have used salmon and other fish skins to craft durable garments, bags, boots and other items necessary for village life. These days, a few Native artists continue the time-consuming tradition of processing fish skins.
The material was also marketed to tourists and fashion houses in the 1990s until those ventures fizzled. Over the last few decades numerous Alaska entrepreneurs have tried their hand at the fish leather business, prompting speculation that it could be a new cottage industry for the state.
Kasberg says the biggest hurdle is convincing consumers byproducts are cool.
“When people think of fish waste, they almost plug their nose in reaction. When people haven’t seen it, smelt it, felt it, I think there is a challenge there,” he says.
Kasberg owns a gillnetter and has fished commercially in Southeast Alaska for almost a decade. He recently sold his commercial fishing license to help fund the new business.
His partner, Zach Wilkinson, has a background in economic development in agriculture. He says the agriculture industry already uses animal byproducts to make high-end items, like shoes and handbags, so why not Alaska fisheries.
“Clearly this stuff is valuable and useful and we could be doing something with it,” he says.
Some seafood processors sell byproducts for pet food, fish meal and vitamin supplements.
“What I’m particularly excited about it is kind of moving those things up the value chain and producing higher value products,” Wilkinson says.
Another item Tidal Vision plans to roll out is clothing made from chitosan extracted from crab shells. The fabric is antimicrobial, so it’s perfect for socks, underwear or gym shirts.
“We’re still going to recommend you wash your clothes but as far as odor goes, you won’t have to,” Kasberg says.
The use of chitosan is common in many industries. It’s usually stripped away from crustacean shells with formaldehyde, but Tidal Vision has a patent pending on a greener, more environmentally friendly method. They’re hoping to eventually expand the product into bandages and other medical supplies.
“The sutures that dissolve into your bloodstream are made out of a chitosan,” he says.
If the products take off, Kasberg says the business could add an overall boost to revenue for fish processors in Alaska. He would be giving them a dollar a pound for the skins, which he says is 90 percent more than fishmeal manufacturers pay. And that money could trickle down to commercial fishermen who supply the processors, like Juneau fisherman Anthoney Sine.
“That would increase our price. That would increase the money that we would be getting on our end,” he says.
Sine owns a boat called the Fortune and is preparing for the upcoming gillnet season. He says the price of seafood can fluctuate; alternative revenue streams could provide more stability.
“It greases the wheels,” Sine says. “Our seasons are short, especially the salmon season. Being able to get a little more money for my product strengthens my business for sure.”
Kasberg’s Kickstarter campaign has already raised more than half of the money it needs to begin mass production. They’re starting with wallets and plan to roll out one item at a time.
Tidal Vision surpassed its Kickstarter goal of $17,500 in 24 hours.
read more:www.marieprom.co.uk/prom-dresses-london
Mbabazi chief guest at Tinkasiimire's wedding
テーマ：ブログ
2015/05/24 16:16
Tinkasiimire, the Buyaga West MP wedded Sandra Tusiime Abwooli at a ceremony that was led by the apostolic administrator Hoima Catholic diocese, Bishop Lambert Bainomugisha on Saturday.
Tinkasimire was accompanied by Theodore Ssekikubo as his best man, and Wilfred Nuwagaba was the organizing committe chairperson at the function.
Barnabas TinkasIimire (left) and his best man Theodore Ssekikubo at Muhorro Catholic Church, May 23, 2015.
Amama Mbabazi and his wife Jackline at Muhorro Catholic Church, Kibaale district.
With the former prime minister as chief guest, the wedding assumed a political twist as the 2016 general elections draw nearer.
Mbabazi, talking to the jubilant crowd briefly soon after arrival, said that he would address them by hook or crook.
"I will talk to you even if they try to deny me the opportunity to the microphone," he quipped, drawing applause from the people.
Jubilant women and men welcome Amama Mbabazi with the Kikiga cultural dance.
The people chanted; "We want Amama Mbabazi, the man of all people in Rukiga!"
The groom, his best man and chairperson of the organising committee, make up three of four rebel MPs that were famously expelled from the NRM ruling party. The fourth is Kampala Central MP Mohamed Nsereko.
Mbabazi, then as NRM secretary general, presided over the proceedings to dismiss the MPs from the party.
read more:www.marieprom.co.uk/prom-dresses-liverpool
www.marieprom.co.uk/white-prom-dresses
Tinkasimire was accompanied by Theodore Ssekikubo as his best man, and Wilfred Nuwagaba was the organizing committe chairperson at the function.
Barnabas TinkasIimire (left) and his best man Theodore Ssekikubo at Muhorro Catholic Church, May 23, 2015.
Amama Mbabazi and his wife Jackline at Muhorro Catholic Church, Kibaale district.
With the former prime minister as chief guest, the wedding assumed a political twist as the 2016 general elections draw nearer.
Mbabazi, talking to the jubilant crowd briefly soon after arrival, said that he would address them by hook or crook.
"I will talk to you even if they try to deny me the opportunity to the microphone," he quipped, drawing applause from the people.
Jubilant women and men welcome Amama Mbabazi with the Kikiga cultural dance.
The people chanted; "We want Amama Mbabazi, the man of all people in Rukiga!"
The groom, his best man and chairperson of the organising committee, make up three of four rebel MPs that were famously expelled from the NRM ruling party. The fourth is Kampala Central MP Mohamed Nsereko.
Mbabazi, then as NRM secretary general, presided over the proceedings to dismiss the MPs from the party.
read more:www.marieprom.co.uk/prom-dresses-liverpool
www.marieprom.co.uk/white-prom-dresses
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Loses Her Fashion Mojo Just After She Found it
テーマ：ブログ
2015/05/22 15:06
Why exactly are so many local eyes glued so firmly to the global red carpet at Cannes? Why do we watch, sometimes breathlessly, to see how our desi divas fare internationally? Some of it is just natural instinctive window shopping into the lives of the rich and famous, some of it is because we're armchair experts (of the laziest kind) and some of it is pure and simple schadenfreude. There is nothing we like more than a fashion stumble or few - especially when the whole world is watching.
photo:www.marieprom.co.uk/prom-dresses-manchester
And to that end, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has, more than anyone else, provided incredible fodder for smirks and asides. Poor thing. In her defence, she was the first off the mark and really didn't know any better. And however much was made of her early years, and there was lots of it, to her credit she has had come a long way. She has put the ghosts of Neeta Lulla's pink confections and white cutaways behind her. In the last couple of years, she dazzled: she was incandescent in Cavalli - white, strapless and sweeping or gold, strapless with a mermaid train; in Gucci - black, sultry, lace laden; in Armani - shimmering, with her favourite accessory on her arm.
And then came this year and it's a bit like the last few never happened. A green, glittery Elie Saab with a peekaboo skirt sounds great on paper. On the red carpet, alas, it emerged as such a load of badly finished bling that Sridevi would have found it too tacky. In the '80s! As for the Sabyasachi frock she wore to Variety Magazine's seminar - well, we hear that straight after, Maria Von Trapp called asking for her curtains back. That was followed up with a moderate maroon Oscar De la Renta (didn't love it) and a far more ambitious Ralph & Russo (almost did) - the dress Cruella De Ville always wanted and never had. Again, on paper we approve, it's just that it seemed a bit like a belated effort to beat Sonam Kapoor at her own game.
And that's a battle lost before it even began. Now there's a girl who's got it right. Just look, for example, at what Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla gave Ash to wear just a few years ago: Exhibit A. And look at what they gave Sonam this year: Exhibit B.
Our conclusion: we're clearly not the only ones guilty of schadenfreude. And if the stars' own designers can play fashion favourites, why can't we?
PS. If you thought this was going to be a long harangue about the perils of scadenfreude,well, don't look at me, I'm as guilty as anyone else. And now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to make my meme about the sacrifice of Australia's entire emu population for Sonam's last.
read more:www.marieprom.co.uk/red-prom-dresses
photo:www.marieprom.co.uk/prom-dresses-manchester
And to that end, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has, more than anyone else, provided incredible fodder for smirks and asides. Poor thing. In her defence, she was the first off the mark and really didn't know any better. And however much was made of her early years, and there was lots of it, to her credit she has had come a long way. She has put the ghosts of Neeta Lulla's pink confections and white cutaways behind her. In the last couple of years, she dazzled: she was incandescent in Cavalli - white, strapless and sweeping or gold, strapless with a mermaid train; in Gucci - black, sultry, lace laden; in Armani - shimmering, with her favourite accessory on her arm.
And then came this year and it's a bit like the last few never happened. A green, glittery Elie Saab with a peekaboo skirt sounds great on paper. On the red carpet, alas, it emerged as such a load of badly finished bling that Sridevi would have found it too tacky. In the '80s! As for the Sabyasachi frock she wore to Variety Magazine's seminar - well, we hear that straight after, Maria Von Trapp called asking for her curtains back. That was followed up with a moderate maroon Oscar De la Renta (didn't love it) and a far more ambitious Ralph & Russo (almost did) - the dress Cruella De Ville always wanted and never had. Again, on paper we approve, it's just that it seemed a bit like a belated effort to beat Sonam Kapoor at her own game.
And that's a battle lost before it even began. Now there's a girl who's got it right. Just look, for example, at what Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla gave Ash to wear just a few years ago: Exhibit A. And look at what they gave Sonam this year: Exhibit B.
Our conclusion: we're clearly not the only ones guilty of schadenfreude. And if the stars' own designers can play fashion favourites, why can't we?
PS. If you thought this was going to be a long harangue about the perils of scadenfreude,well, don't look at me, I'm as guilty as anyone else. And now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to make my meme about the sacrifice of Australia's entire emu population for Sonam's last.
read more:www.marieprom.co.uk/red-prom-dresses
Grand Preparations for Manchu Manoj's Wedding
テーマ：ブログ
2015/05/20 15:44
photo: www.marieprom.co.uk/blue-prom-dresses
All is set for the wedding ceremony of actor Manchu Manoj, younger son of versatile actor Mohan Babu and younger brother of actors Vishnu Manchu, Lakshmi Manchu. Lavish preparations have been made and the venue Hitex Hall 2 has been decked up with flowers specially imported cutting across borders. Mostly Jasmine (Mallepoolu) flowers have been used to decorate and theme used for the venue is white.
Since the wedding muhurat is at 9.10 AM, there'll be only brunch but not be lunch. Yet the brunch will be very big spread with nearly 50 dishes. Chefs from Bengaluru, Chennai, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh are working hard to serve the huge guest list. The speciality is that a favourite and popular dish from each state would be made besides platter with large-spread and exquisite dishes. Nearly 8000 to 10000 guests are expected to attend the wedding.
Besides the Chief Ministers of two states Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, ministers of states, Governors of seven states, Union Ministers and former central ministers and who's who of various film industries are expected to grace this lavish wedding ceremony. Security has been beefed up as all the VVIPs are making their way. 2000 police personnel and 1500 private security has been deployed specially to look into security arrangements right from the entrance to the exit.
All in all, it's a grand wedding ceremony for Manoj who''ll be tying the knot with his love Pranathi Reddy. Pranathi is alumna of Bits Pilani campus. She has done Mechanical engineering from the prestigious university. Later she did CA (Charted Accountancy) in New York. Pranathi is classmate of Viranica Manchu and thus Manoj and Pranathi come to knew each other and that's when the cupid struck them.
See more at:
www.marieprom.co.uk/backless-prom-dresses
5 Tips for Shipping Your Wedding Gown to Your Destination
テーマ：ブログ
2015/05/15 16:12
I'm constantly being asked for tips about how to transport a wedding gown to a destination wedding in the easiest and safest way possible. Is it okay to ship? Is that absolutely taboo? How do they fit that huge garment bag on the plane? It's a real concern, especially for brides who've invested literally thousands of dollars in a designer wedding gown for their special day. And airline carry-on restrictions haven't made things any easier.
How do you think wedding gowns get from the manufacturer to the bridal shop? It's perfectly safe to ship your wedding gown to your destination IF YOU HAVE SOMEBODY TO RECEIVE IT ON THE OTHER END. I don't mean the banquet manager at some random hotel -- I mean a wedding planner or a specific vendor you trust or who is handling all of your other shipments. To send it blind to a hotel or rental agency is foolish as you have nobody to hold accountable when you arrive and nobody can find the box. Don't risk it.
But if you do have a landing point you trust at your destination, shipping your wedding gown works just fine. Just following these five tips:
1) Make sure you know which shippers service your destination on which days -- not everybody comes to our island every day, for example. Oftentimes, the U.S. Postal Service remains your best bet. Coordinate this with the person you're shipping to and if they tell you to use one particular company, listen to them! They have no motive to lie. Just because you can get away with sending it out free from your company's corporate account doesn't make it a good idea if you've been told that shipper is not particularly reliable at your destination.
2) Let your bridal shop pack your wedding gown into the box for you after your final fitting, and then do not take it out. Resist the urge to model it again because you will never get all that tissue paper back exactly where it needs to go for your dress to arrive in good condition. Do not attempt to pack your gown yourself if you're buying it someplace -- they have the boxes and the know-how to stuff it properly. Your bridal shop may argue with you and tell you that it's not safe to mail it, but you are the customer. It's their job to give you the dress however you request it. Some boutiques will kindly mail it for you (and bill you through the wazoo for it). You're better off mailing it yourself so you can make sure it's done properly.
3) Label the box "WEDDING GOWN" in huge letters all over, and write the receiver's phone number on it in several locations. Delivery people are human beings with feelings, and most of them will take extra special care if they know they're carrying your wedding gown.
4) Insure the box for as much money as possible. U.S. Mail maxes out at $5,000. Other shippers have different restrictions. If your dress cost more than $5,000, consider using those. Otherwise, insure that dress to the hilt. I firmly believe that they treat well-insured packages better than they do regular old parcel post with no insurance. And insurance isn't that expensive.
5) Send your wedding gown via the fastest shipping method available. High priority mail is treated better, moves faster and is less likely to end up on the bottom of a pile for days with heavy packages on top of it. Make sure the person receiving your dress on the other end is well aware that it's on its way, and how it's coming. Then stay in touch until it arrives.
If you're sending your gown to your wedding planner, you can ask her to take it out of the bag and hang it up when it arrives. A tropical climate's humidity might just steam out any wrinkles before you've even arrived. If you're sending it to a stranger, have them leave it in the sealed box because you have no idea where they're going to be storing it or if there's a big hairy black dog hanging around nearby to shed on it.
Don't forget to pack a portable steamer or iron -- check with the bridal shop to see what the best method is for touching up your gown and veil if necessary. They know their products best and can give you the best advice. Be prepared ahead of time. If your destination is remote, you could be out of luck trying to borrow a steam at the last minute.
read more:www.marieprom.co.uk/graduation-dresses
www.marieprom.co.uk/formal-dresses
How do you think wedding gowns get from the manufacturer to the bridal shop? It's perfectly safe to ship your wedding gown to your destination IF YOU HAVE SOMEBODY TO RECEIVE IT ON THE OTHER END. I don't mean the banquet manager at some random hotel -- I mean a wedding planner or a specific vendor you trust or who is handling all of your other shipments. To send it blind to a hotel or rental agency is foolish as you have nobody to hold accountable when you arrive and nobody can find the box. Don't risk it.
But if you do have a landing point you trust at your destination, shipping your wedding gown works just fine. Just following these five tips:
1) Make sure you know which shippers service your destination on which days -- not everybody comes to our island every day, for example. Oftentimes, the U.S. Postal Service remains your best bet. Coordinate this with the person you're shipping to and if they tell you to use one particular company, listen to them! They have no motive to lie. Just because you can get away with sending it out free from your company's corporate account doesn't make it a good idea if you've been told that shipper is not particularly reliable at your destination.
2) Let your bridal shop pack your wedding gown into the box for you after your final fitting, and then do not take it out. Resist the urge to model it again because you will never get all that tissue paper back exactly where it needs to go for your dress to arrive in good condition. Do not attempt to pack your gown yourself if you're buying it someplace -- they have the boxes and the know-how to stuff it properly. Your bridal shop may argue with you and tell you that it's not safe to mail it, but you are the customer. It's their job to give you the dress however you request it. Some boutiques will kindly mail it for you (and bill you through the wazoo for it). You're better off mailing it yourself so you can make sure it's done properly.
3) Label the box "WEDDING GOWN" in huge letters all over, and write the receiver's phone number on it in several locations. Delivery people are human beings with feelings, and most of them will take extra special care if they know they're carrying your wedding gown.
4) Insure the box for as much money as possible. U.S. Mail maxes out at $5,000. Other shippers have different restrictions. If your dress cost more than $5,000, consider using those. Otherwise, insure that dress to the hilt. I firmly believe that they treat well-insured packages better than they do regular old parcel post with no insurance. And insurance isn't that expensive.
5) Send your wedding gown via the fastest shipping method available. High priority mail is treated better, moves faster and is less likely to end up on the bottom of a pile for days with heavy packages on top of it. Make sure the person receiving your dress on the other end is well aware that it's on its way, and how it's coming. Then stay in touch until it arrives.
If you're sending your gown to your wedding planner, you can ask her to take it out of the bag and hang it up when it arrives. A tropical climate's humidity might just steam out any wrinkles before you've even arrived. If you're sending it to a stranger, have them leave it in the sealed box because you have no idea where they're going to be storing it or if there's a big hairy black dog hanging around nearby to shed on it.
Don't forget to pack a portable steamer or iron -- check with the bridal shop to see what the best method is for touching up your gown and veil if necessary. They know their products best and can give you the best advice. Be prepared ahead of time. If your destination is remote, you could be out of luck trying to borrow a steam at the last minute.
read more:www.marieprom.co.uk/graduation-dresses
www.marieprom.co.uk/formal-dresses
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